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DILG Earns Sixth Straight Unmodified COA Opinion The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has earned its sixth straight Unmodified Opinion from the Commission on Audit (COA) for Calendar Year 2025, affirming the fair presentation of its financial statements and reflecting the Department’s continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and sound financial management. In a letter to DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, COA Acting Cluster Director Ameer S. Gamama transmitted the Consolidated Annual Audit Report on the Department, stating that the audit provided a reasonable basis for issuing an Unmodified Opinion on the DILG’s financial statements. The audit evaluated Management’s assertions on the financial statements, the propriety of financial transactions, compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, the fairness of financial statement presentation, and the implementation of prior years’ audit recommendations. An Unmodified Opinion is the highest audit opinion issued by the Commission on Audit. It signifies that an agency’s financial statements are fairly presented in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework and are free from material misstatements. The report includes the Independent Auditor’s Report, Audited Financial Statements, audit observations and recommendations, and the status of implementation of prior years’ audit recommendations. The latest audit result reflects the DILG’s sustained efforts to strengthen internal controls, improve financial management systems, and ensure the responsible use of public resources. It also qualifies the Department to once again vie for the country’s Outstanding Accounting Offices award. During the DILG Central Office’s Monday flag-raising ceremony, Assistant Secretary for Finance and Comptrollership Ester A. Aldana announced the achievement and recognized the collective efforts of DILG officials and personnel in sustaining the Department’s strong audit performance. The DILG remains committed to upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability as it continues to strengthen its financial governance systems in support of its mandate to build safer, stronger, and more resilient communities.

DILG: Unified 911 Speeds Up Medical Dispatch, Saves More Lives Through Faster Emergency Response The government’s Unified 911 Emergency System is helping save more Filipino lives by significantly reducing the time it takes to dispatch emergency medical responders during life-threatening health emergencies, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said. Implemented under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Unified 911 system provides Filipinos with a single, accessible emergency hotline while strengthening coordination among police, fire, medical, and rescue agencies nationwide to ensure faster and more efficient emergency response. In less than a year since its launch, Unified 911 has successfully facilitated 37,858 medical assistance responses across the country, giving thousands of Filipinos timely access to emergency medical care when every second mattered. Behind these numbers are lives protected and families given hope. In Toledo City, Cebu, a 68-year-old resident experiencing symptoms of a possible mild stroke immediately reached the Unified 911 hotline. The call was promptly relayed to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, whose responders quickly transported the patient to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment. In another incident, emergency responders were swiftly dispatched to assist a 19-year-old worker in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City who sustained second-degree burns on both arms, upper back, and shoulders following an electrocution accident. Responders administered first aid on site before safely transporting the victim to Mactan Doctors Hospital for further medical care. Meanwhile, in Trece Martires City, Cavite, a call to Unified 911 reporting a 23-year-old patient suffering from hyperventilation and seizures enabled responders to immediately reach the scene and bring the patient to Gentri Doctors Hospital for urgent medical attention. All three incidents were responded to within five minutes from the time the emergency calls were received, demonstrating Unified 911’s ability to rapidly connect callers with the appropriate emergency responders during critical situations. The DILG said these cases reflect the continuing impact of the Unified 911 system in strengthening emergency response nationwide, where faster coordination among responders translates into quicker medical intervention and greater chances of saving lives. The Department also reaffirmed its commitment to further expand Unified 911’s nationwide coverage and continuously strengthen the capabilities of emergency responders to ensure that every Filipino can count on immediate, coordinated, and life-saving assistance whenever emergencies occur.

DILG urges LGUs to establish Safer School Zones, mobilizes over 277,000 barangay tanods Amid heightened public concern over recent incidents of violence involving learners, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has directed all local government units (LGUs) to establish Safer School Zones (SSZs) nationwide and mobilize 277,744 barangay tanods to help safeguard learners from crime, violence, traffic hazards, and other threats around schools. The directive supports the Marcos administration’s whole-of-nation approach to public safety and child protection by strengthening coordination among LGUs, schools, law enforcement agencies, and communities. “Schools must remain places of learning, not places of fear. Through Safer School Zones, local governments, barangays, schools, law enforcement agencies, parents, and communities will work together to better protect every learner,” the DILG said. Under Memorandum Circular No. 2026-037, the DILG institutionalizes Safer School Zones under the government’s Safer Cities and Safer Communities Initiative. Governors, city and municipal mayors, punong barangays, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other stakeholders are directed to strengthen safety and security around public and private schools. LGUs are directed to identify and address safety hazards and security risks within school zones, including unsafe roads and pedestrian facilities, speeding vehicles, fire and disaster risks, and other threats to learners. They are likewise encouraged to enact or strengthen local ordinances on traffic management, pedestrian safety, crime prevention, violence prevention, and public order around schools. Barangay tanods will serve as force multipliers by maintaining a visible presence, conducting roving patrols, assisting in traffic management, providing immediate assistance, and promptly reporting or referring incidents to the proper authorities. The directive limits barangay tanod operations to areas outside school premises, except when authorized by school authorities or when immediate lawful assistance is necessary. It likewise reiterates that barangay tanods shall remain unarmed civilian community support actors and must immediately refer incidents requiring police, fire, medical, social welfare, or other specialized response to the appropriate authorities. Based on consolidated DILG data, 277,744 barangay tanods serving in 42,010 barangays nationwide stand ready to support the implementation of the initiative by helping maintain peace and order and enhancing public safety around school communities. The DILG said the Safer School Zones initiative reinforces the government’s commitment to keeping schools safe through coordinated public safety measures, ensuring that every learner can study in a secure and orderly environment.

DILG Strengthens LGUs’ Role in Safeguarding the West Philippine Sea The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is strengthening the role of local government units (LGUs) in protecting the West Philippine Sea (WPS), reinforcing that the country’s maritime interests are best defended through strong local governance, empowered communities, and sustained action on the ground. Through Bayanihang Aksiyon para sa Kanlurang Dagat ng Pilipinas, the DILG is working with the ten provinces fronting the West Philippine Sea to institutionalize localized governance mechanisms that advance marine environmental protection, sustainable fisheries, food security, resilient livelihoods, and responsible stewardship of the country’s maritime resources. At the heart of the initiative are Provincial Action Plans that transform national priorities into concrete local programs. Guided by the Whole-of-Area Approach, the plans strengthen the capacity of LGUs to lead efforts that protect coastal communities, conserve marine ecosystems, and support the country’s long-term maritime interests. To date, Provincial Caravans have been completed in Palawan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Occidental Mindoro, and Bataan. These engagements have brought together local chief executives, sanggunian members, national government agencies, fisherfolk, civil society organizations, youth groups, and development partners to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the implementation of their respective Provincial Action Plans. The initiative is also producing lasting institutional reforms. Palawan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Bataan have enacted ordinances establishing their West Philippine Sea Councils, while Zambales has adopted a resolution and Occidental Mindoro created its council through an executive order. These permanent local mechanisms ensure that efforts to protect the West Philippine Sea remain sustained, coordinated, and responsive to local realities. The remaining Provincial Caravans in Batangas and Batanes are being finalized to complete the rollout across all ten participating provinces fronting the West Philippine Sea. The DILG continues to work with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Institute of Environmental Governance, Tanggol Kalikasan, DILG Regional Offices, and provincial governments to strengthen local institutions and expand multi-sectoral partnerships that advance marine conservation, sustainable coastal development, and resilient communities. “Protecting the West Philippine Sea begins long before our shores. It begins in every province that chooses to lead, every local government that chooses to act, and every community that understands what is at stake. By strengthening our LGUs, we are strengthening the country’s capacity to protect our marine resources, secure the livelihoods of our fisherfolk, preserve our rich marine biodiversity, and uphold our sovereign rights for generations to come,” the DILG said. 

DILG Launches Nationwide Digital Document Management System for LGUs The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has launched the Document Management System for Local Government Units (DMS4LGUs), a nationwide digital platform designed to modernize records management and strengthen efficiency, transparency, and accountability in local governance. The initiative supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to accelerate digital transformation across all levels of government. Developed under the Local Government Unified Support System–Cities and Municipalities Information Management System (LGUSS-CMIMS), the DMS4LGUs digitizes, centralizes, and securely manages official government records through a single platform. The system will be provided free of charge to all local government units nationwide. DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the DMS4LGUs marks a significant step toward more responsive and future-ready local governance by reducing paperwork, improving records management, accelerating transactions, and strengthening coordination across LGU offices. He said the platform replaces fragmented, paper-based processes with a secure and reliable digital system that enhances administrative efficiency while ensuring easier access to government records. Remulla encouraged local government units to fully utilize the platform, emphasizing that embracing digital innovation will help make government “more accessible, responsive, and effective for every Filipino.” He said maximizing the DMS4LGUs is part of the broader effort to build local governments that are “ready for the future and capable of delivering the quality of service our people deserve.” Prior to its nationwide rollout, the DILG conducted consultations and pilot implementation with selected local government units to validate the system’s functionality and refine the platform based on operational feedback. The pilot covered the provincial governments of Cavite and Rizal, the cities of Quezon, Marikina, and Carmona, and the Municipality of San Mateo, ensuring the system was responsive to the operational needs of LGUs before its nationwide deployment.

DILG: More Families Find Hope, Safety Through Unified 911 More Filipino families are finding hope in moments of crisis as greater public awareness of the Unified 911 hotline helps connect loved ones to life-saving assistance when every second matters. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said more Filipinos are now turning to Unified 911 during emergencies, allowing responders to coordinate faster, reach those in need sooner, and give more families a fighting chance. The Department emphasized that in many emergencies, the first person who can save a life is a family member who stays calm and makes the call. A single call to 911 allows emergency operators to immediately assess the situation, dispatch the appropriate responders, and coordinate critical assistance. In Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, an 88-year-old grandmother suffered a serious fall inside her home. Her grandchild immediately called Unified 911. Within five minutes, emergency responders arrived, assessed her condition, and provided the urgent medical assistance she needed. In Caloocan City, a daughter watched her father suddenly collapse and show signs of a stroke. She called Unified 911 without hesitation. Just three minutes later, an ambulance arrived and rushed him to a medical facility where he could receive immediate treatment. In Quezon City, a mother feared for her son’s life after he suffered a severe asthma attack. Through the swift coordination of the Unified 911 National Call Center, the local government unit, and emergency medical responders, the child was immediately transported to the nearest hospital for treatment. According to the DILG, these real-life emergencies show how a single call can set an entire emergency response system into motion and make the difference between tragedy and hope. The Department urged every Filipino family to make Unified 911 part of their household emergency preparedness plan, stressing that timely reporting and clear communication allow responders to act quickly when lives are on the line. “Hinihikayat namin ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino na isaisip at isapuso ang pagtawag sa 911 sa oras ng sakuna. Mahalaga ang maagap ninyong aksiyon para maligtas ang inyong mga kapamilya,” the DILG said.

DILG, DA Issue Guidelines Granting Real Property Tax Exemptions for Agricultural Storage Facilities The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday signed a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) implementing real property tax (RPT) exemptions for qualified agricultural storage facilities under Republic Act No. 11321, or the Sagip Saka Act, providing farmers and fisherfolk with additional support to reduce production costs and increase their incomes. The JMC directs local government units (LGUs) to exempt from RPT structures, buildings, and warehouses used directly and exclusively for storing agricultural inputs and outputs, provided the property’s assessed value does not exceed P3 million. DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the measure reflects the government’s commitment to helping ease the burden on the country’s food producers. “Napakahirap maging magsasaka sa Pilipinas… Tulungan natin sila. Magkaisa tayo para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” Remulla said. “Bawat piso na ibinabawas sa kanilang produksyon ay nakakadagdag sa kanilang kita.” To ensure the immediate implementation of the incentive, Remulla directed the prompt dissemination of the JMC to all LGUs, which are responsible for enforcing the policy. Under the JMC, the DILG will provide policy guidance to LGUs to ensure the effective implementation of the tax exemptions and assist the DA in conducting nationwide orientation activities. DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the issuance of the guidelines ensures that the benefits of the Sagip Saka Act reach those who need them most. “Today’s signing demonstrates a shared commitment to ensuring that the law delivers real value where it matters the most: in farms, fishing communities, cooperatives, and rural enterprises,” Tiu Laurel said. In a recorded video message, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, principal author of the Sagip Saka Act, called on LGUs to promptly update their local revenue codes, simplify application procedures, and actively inform qualified farmers, fisherfolk, and other beneficiaries about the incentive. The signing was held at the DA Central Office in Quezon City, led by Secretaries Remulla and Tiu Laurel, with DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Marlo L. Iringan and officials from both agencies serving as witnesses. Enacted in 2019, the Sagip Saka Act seeks to strengthen the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk by improving market access, expanding government support, and increasing their competitiveness. The DILG reaffirmed its commitment to working with LGUs to fully implement policies that strengthen the agricultural sector and improve the welfare of farming and fishing communities.

DILG Eyes Infant and Toddler Development as New Governance Benchmark The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is moving to strengthen early childhood development by exploring the inclusion of the Infant and Toddler Early Development (ITED) Program as a scored indicator under the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) and integrating it into the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG). The initiative supports the implementation of Republic Act No. 12199, which amended the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Systems Act and transferred the ECCD Council under the DILG, reinforcing the Department’s role in advancing early childhood development nationwide. Developed by the ECCD Council, the ITED Program promotes responsive caregiving, age-appropriate learning, proper nutrition, health, and developmental support for children from birth to two years old. It also equips parents and caregivers with the knowledge and skills needed to nurture children during the most critical stage of development. The Department said strengthening support during the first 1,000 days of life is a long-term investment in healthier children, stronger families, and more resilient communities. “By integrating ITED into existing governance assessment mechanisms, LGUs will be encouraged to institutionalize programs that support the health, nutrition, learning, and overall development of infants and toddlers,” the DILG said. ITED is currently tracked under the CFLGA through a profiling indicator that identifies whether LGUs operate ITED centers. Elevating it into a scored indicator would encourage more local governments to establish, sustain, and improve these programs as part of good local governance. The proposal builds on the gains of the CFLGA, with preliminary DILG data showing a 21.9 percent increase in the number of LGUs that passed the audit in 2025 compared to the previous year. Once integrated into governance assessment systems, ITED would become a stronger measure of local government performance, encouraging sustained investments in early childhood interventions that deliver lasting benefits for communities. “Child-friendly governance begins long before a child enters school. By supporting children during their earliest years, LGUs help lay the foundation for healthier, more resilient, and more productive communities,” the DILG said.